Event Operations Executive

We’re looking for an Event Operations Executive to join our passionate team and play a key role in the planning and delivery of events across Tech Nation’s programmes and flagship initiatives. Working closely with the Operations Lead you’ll collaborate closely with teams across the organisation to bring new and existing event formats to life, creating impactful experiences that connect and support the UK’s most exciting founders. This is a great opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is excited about shaping the future of UK tech through exceptional event delivery.

Tech Nation, supercharged by Founders Forum Group, is the leading growth platform and industry body for startups and scaleups across the UK. We deliver around 80 dynamic events each year, ranging from intimate founder dinners and hands-on workshops to high-impact pitch showcases, conferences, and retreats. With event sizes typically between 20 and 200 guests, we are constantly innovating and evolving our approach to best serve our vibrant community of UK startups and scaleups.

Key Responsibilities:

Venue Sourcing:

• Research and finalise contracts with a variety of predominantly London based venues, including private members clubs, restaurants, shared workspaces and stand alone event spaces.
• Assist the wider FF teams with venue sourcing for their portfolio of events, being seen as the go-to person for venue related enquiries across the business.

Event Operations & Project Management

• Own the end-to-end delivery of the smaller Tech Nation events (roundtables, breakfast meetings, private dinners etc), including scheduling, budget management, catering, production, supplier coordination, staff briefings, and on-site management.
• For the larger, flagship events, work in conjunction with the Operations Lead to split the organisational responsibilities and ensure exceptional delivery
• Work with the Operations Lead to maintain the central event schedule and ensure it is always up to date

Collaboration & Coordination

• Collaborate with Programme Leads to develop clear event briefs, supporting them on content development, agendas, speaker requirements, and run-of-show timings.
• Partner with the Marketing team to coordinate guestlists, name badges, dietary requirements, event branding, and photography/videography.
• Work with the Partnerships team to ensure all partner deliverables are fulfilled in line with contractual agreements.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to the creative development of events, bringing ideas that elevate the guest experience and increase event value and impact.
• Participate in post-event debriefs and strategic reviews, identifying opportunities to improve processes and experiences.

You’ll thrive in this role if…

• Events are your passion and you've got a taste for event operations and want to expand your talents further
• You have a real eye for a brilliant venue and enjoy the hunt. You can foster genuine relationships with venue managers, to create a trusted network of spaces.
• You have experience in budget management and confidence in sourcing, negotiating, and managing relationships with suppliers and vendors
• You have entrepreneurial drive - you’re creative, resilient, and self-motivated
• You’re proactive, solutions-oriented, and love a challenge
• You’re a collaborative team player who brings energy and positivity to every project
• You’re passionate about tech, startups and innovation (Or keen to learn!)
• You’re a strong communicator, comfortable engaging with senior internal stakeholders, founders, partners, and speakers
• You’re a meticulous planner and can manage multiple projects simultaneously whilst maintaining a strong attention to detail
• You thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and are always ready to roll up your sleeves

Requirements

• Some proven experience in event operations
• Excellent project management and organisational skills
• Knowledge of UK venues and suppliers and a genuine desire to grow this knowledge-base
• Able to work early mornings and weekday evenings on event days 
• Happy to travel internationally occasionally if required (not guaranteed)
• Knowledge and enthusiasm for the Tech ecosystem in the UK is an advantage but not essential
• Driving licence is a bonus but not essential
• The right to work in the UK

• Competitive salary based on experience, with an annual discretionary bonus
• 25 days contractual annual leave
• Enhanced discretionary leave provision, including an additional day off for your birthday and leave between Christmas and New Year's Day
• Option to work remotely anywhere in the world for 3 weeks/year (1 week at Easter and 2 weeks during July/August) 
• Health insurance, with the option to add dependents
• Life Insurance
• AIG Smart Health access including online GP access and mental health support
• Employee Assistance Program
• Competitive pension provision
• Perkbox membership with generous points allocation for day-to-day purchases
• Learning and development annual allowance
• Cycle to work scheme
• Lunch 1x/week, office snacks, and regular team drinks
• Quarterly team activities and annual team day out 
• Access to the Founders Forum Group network of businesses and wider tech ecosystem

We currently have a working model of 4 days spent in the office (Mon-Thu) and 1 day with the option to work from home/remotely on a Friday.